RVA Deals

Now that everyone has a location open near them, it’s time to share your thoughts on MARTIN’S. So come on in, spill the beans, get the scoop on their policies and practices, and find out this week’s best deals (in the-store-formerly-known-as-Ukrop’s and beyond).

May 19, 2010; 12:00 PM • by Alison Brown

Now that everyone has a location open near them, what are your thoughts on MARTIN’S?

Me, I’m having trouble getting past the shelf tags. I should have expected some loud labels from a grocery chain name whose name is all caps, but walking an aisle feels akin to visual assault. In some places, the products are obscured by gratuitous signage. And forget about finding the actual price with so many numbers scattered about.

But I imagine I’ll get used to them. And hopefully some will go away once all the former Ukrop’s prices have been adjusted.

Here are some of the basics of shopping deals at MARTIN’S…

BONUSCARD:
MARTINS’S loyalty card required to receive sale prices. Ukrop’s Valued Customer Cards no longer work, so visit MartinsFoods.com or customer service in-store to sign up for one.

Circular:
Like the shelf tags in store, MARTIN’S weekly circulars, available online, contain some information overload. This week’s edition is 20 pages, not including extra outer half-sheet. (My RVA Deals gig involves more work now!) What I like about the ads, though, is that many items include the amount saved next to the sale price, so I know in advance what regular price is and roughly what kind of a deal I’m getting.

Coupons:
MARTIN’S doubles manufacturer’s coupons up to $.50 every day. Only one of each coupon will double. Coupon values over $.50 will be increased to $1. Example: $.55 coupon gets increased by $.45 to become $1 savings.

MARTIN’S accepts internet-printed coupons, except coupons for free items.

MARTIN’S offers printable store coupons periodically as well. Currently, the offers are $2 off a $5 Hallmark purchase, and $1 off any Minute Rice product.

Fine Print:
More so than with Ukrop’s, it’s important to read the fine print (if you can find it). MARTIN’S sale prices often require buying a certain number of items, like Pepperidge Farm goldfish on sale for $1 this week… if you buy exactly four. Additional or lesser quantities will cost $2 each. And “Buy One, Get One Free” are true BOGO deals – one is full price, and one is free (Instead of both ringing up half-price, which allows you to buy only one).

Pharmacy:
MARTIN’S offers $4 generic 30-day prescriptions of certain drugs, similar to Kroger. The pharmacy will also provide up to a 14-day supply of common generic antibiotics FREE. If you have prescriptions to fill, take advantage of the $25 and $10 gift card coupons included in the recent MARTIN’S mailer for any new or transferred prescription.

Fuel:
The fuelperks! program remains. Every $100 in grocery or pharmacy purchases earns you $.10 off per gallon at participating Uppy’s locations. There are also opportunities to earn bonus rewards, such as an extra $.20 per gallon this week when you buy 6 participating items (see list on circular page 18).

Most households in the area probably received a MARTIN’S coupon booklet in the mail last week, containing $3 off $30 purchase and free item coupons for the next month, so remember to take advantage of those!

Meat Top Pick

London Broil $1.99/lb at MARTIN’S, which is even cheaper with “$1 off $5 meat purchase” coupon from MARTIN’S coupon mailer.

Veggie Top Pick

Green Giant and Kroger frozen vegetables $.88 at Kroger

Fruit Top Pick

Go strawberry-picking! There are a number of farms within thirty or forty-five minutes of Richmond. PickYourOwn.org has a list of some in Southeast Virginia. We recently visited Mt. Olympus Farm and scored lots of tasty ripe berries!

Dairy Top Pick

$.79/dozen large eggs at MARTIN’S

Staples Top Pick

Texas Toast croutons or tortilla strips $1.25 at MARTIN’S. Combine with $.55 coupon from 5/16 SmartSource, which increase to $1, to get a bag for $.25.

Snacks & Sweets Top Pick

Turkey Hill ice cream is $1.99 at MARTIN’S, or free with coupon from MARTIN’S home mailer and a $15 purchase.

Beverage Top Pick

Caribou Coffee 12oz bag “Buy One, Get One Free” at MARTIN’S (so two bags for $8.49). Use $1 coupon from 3/28 SmartSource insert, and/or print a $1 coupon from Coupons.com.